Sustainable valorization of cherry (Prunus avium L.) pomace waste via the combined use of (NA)DESs and bio-ILs

What if the secret to unlocking microalgae's treasure trove of bioactive compounds lies in a waste product from cherries? A new study shows how combining green solvents with a clever pretreatment can make extraction more efficient and sustainable.

Microalgae are more than just pond scum—they're tiny factories of valuable compounds like polar lipids and carotenoids, which are sought after for food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. But their tough cell walls make extraction a challenge. Enter Nannochloropsis gaditana, a microalga known for producing abundant glycolipids and phospholipids, yet locked behind a rigid barrier.

To crack this barrier, researchers turned to an ultrasound-assisted enzymatic pretreatment, a gentle but effective way to weaken the cell wall. Then, they compared various green extraction methods—pressurized liquid, microwave-assisted, and ultrasound-assisted—against traditional techniques. The results were striking: the pretreatment enriched polar lipid distribution across all extracts, regardless of the method used, though concentrations varied.

Pressurized liquid and microwave-assisted extraction came out on top for overall yield, while ultrasound-assisted extraction scored the highest glycolipid percentage. This study proves that green extraction methods are not just eco-friendly—they're also powerful, offering a sustainable path to harness microalgae's potential without harmful solvents.

Key Points

• Ultrasound-enzymatic pretreatment boosts polar lipid extraction efficiency.
• Green methods rival traditional, with PLE and MAE highest yields.
• Ultrasound extraction yields the most glycolipids overall.